The Provence

Made (even more) famous by Peter 's best-selling "A Year in the Provence", the Provence is a region with an almost mystical appeal.
Dreamy villages, rolling hills, fresh produce, great wines, castles, towering pine trees, les cigales, .. to name but a few, are all famous features of this region.
The Provence region starts just east of the Rhone river, just south of Lyon, bordered in the north by the mountains of the Massif Central and French Alps, and stretches all the way to the Mediterranean sea.

Vineyard near Rousset, Provence

Sainte-Victoire mountain ridge

Gorges du Verdon

The village of Trigrance, near Verdon

The famous Gorges du Verdon are named after the river that created them: the Verdon river.
Le Verdon has it source near the mountain pass of Col d'Allos, at an altitude of 2800m.
The main road D952, which runs from the town of Castellane to Lac Sainte-Croix, offers many vantage points for splendid views of the blue lint of the river winding its way through the gorges.
Around Lac Sainte-Croix are numerous opportunties for camping, hiking, river rafting and swimming.

Gorges du Verdon

Basses Gorges du Verdon

On the river Verdon, through the Basses Gorges du Verdon

On its way down from Lac Sainte-Croix, to the lake of Esparron, the river flows through the so-called "Basses Gorges" (or lower gorges).
Recommended to hire a pedal boat (or a motorised one if you prefer) and explore these basses gorges! Recommended start location: near the town of Quinson.